Tag: HBCU Basketball

Tennessee State Basketball Announces 2026-27 OVC Schedule as Tigers Begin Title Defense

Brandon King

The road to another Ohio Valley Conference championship is officially set. Defending OVC champion Tennessee State has announced its 2026-27 conference schedule, giving the Tigers their first look at the path toward defending both their regular-season and tournament crowns. The 16-game league slate features eight home contests at the Gentry Center and eight road games as Tennessee State looks to build on one of the program’s most successful seasons in more than three decades. The Tigers will tip off conference play on Dec. 31 with a road matchup against Southern…

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Nolan Smith Bolsters Tennessee State Backcourt with Addition of Veteran Guard Ty-Laur Johnson

Brandon King

Tennessee State head coach Nolan Smith continues to reshape the Tigers’ roster ahead of the 2026-27 season, adding another experienced playmaker with the commitment of veteran guard Ty-Laur Johnson.  Johnson arrives in Nashville after spending last season at San Diego, where he averaged 14.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game while emerging as one of the West Coast Conference’s top offensive guards. The Brooklyn native brings Division I experience, scoring ability, and playmaking to a Tennessee State team looking to build on last season’s Ohio Valley Conference championship…

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Mavericks Reportedly Seeking Trade for Klay Thompson, No Buyout Planned

Brandon King

The Dallas Mavericks are actively exploring trade possibilities involving veteran guard Klay Thompson, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Stein reports that while Dallas is seeking a trade for the four-time NBA champion, the organization has no plans to negotiate a buyout of Thompson’s $17.5 million expiring contract. Instead, the Mavericks appear intent on finding a deal that provides value while creating greater roster flexibility. Thompson joined the Mavericks with hopes of helping Dallas remain in championship contention alongside its core. However in the aftermath of the devastating injuries that…

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Tennessee State Lands Former McDonald’s All-American Arterio Morris

Brandon King

Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball has officially signed former McDonald’s All-American and five-star recruit Arterio Morris, adding another high-profile talent to a roster that is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing teams in the HBCU and mid-major landscape.   Head coach Nolan Smith announced the signing , bringing in a guard who has competed at multiple levels of college basketball, including stints with the Texas Longhorns, South Plains College, and Bethune-Cookman.   Morris averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game at Bethune-Cookman last season He scored…

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Aaron Nkrumah Lands NBA Opportunity, Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Denver Nuggets

Brandon King

The NBA dream remains alive for Aaron Nkrumah, one of the most decorated players in Tennessee State basketball history. The former Tennessee State star signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets, earning an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during training camp after going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft. An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed NBA deal that allows a player to compete in training camp. It can be converted into a two-way contract if the player impresses, making it an important pathway for…

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Former Tennessee State Basketball Coach Ron Abernathy Dies at 75, Leaving Lasting Legacy Across HBCU Basketball

Brandon King

The Tennessee State basketball family is mourning the loss of former men’s basketball head coach Ron Abernathy, who has passed away at the age of 75. Abernathy, whose coaching career spanned more than five decades, led the Tennessee State Tigers men’s basketball from 1991 to 1995 before continuing his successful coaching journey at Lane College, where he became the winningest coach in the program’s history. Most recently, he served as the head coach at Humboldt High School, retiring earlier this year after 12 seasons.   Before his time at Tennessee…

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Former Alabama State Players Ruled Permanently Ineligible in Gambling Scandal

Brandon King

The NCAA has permanently ruled four former Alabama State players ineligible after determining they accepted money from gamblers to influence the outcome of a game during the 2024-25 season. Among those sanctioned is Amarr Knox, the hero of Alabama State’s historic first NCAA Tournament victory, along with teammates Shawn Fulcher, Corey Hines, and Tony Madlock. According to the NCAA, the four players accepted a combined $2,000 from gamblers in an effort to manipulate the outcome of the Hornets’ December 5, 2024 matchup against Southern Miss. The NCAA’s investigation concluded that…

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Morgan State adds proven scorer in transfers portal

Brandon King

Morgan State basketball has secured a commitment from guard Trey Pettigrew. Last season Pettigrew led Johnson C. Smith , and was third in the CIAA, with 17.3 points per game. He was second in the conference , connecting on 37.6% on his attempts from downtown.  The redshirt junior scored in double figures in all but 3 of the 24 games he appeared in last season, with a high of 27 coming against Livingstone on February 7.  Prior to his season at Coppin, Pettrigrew was three-star prospect out out Kenwood Academy…

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Samiah Puckett transfers to South Carolina State University

Brandon King

The women’s basketball program at South Carolina State University has reportedly secured another addition via the transfer portal, as Samiah Puckett is set to join the Bulldogs ahead of the upcoming season. Puckett played her high school ball at Griffin High School ( Griffin, GA) where she scored more than 750 points, pulled in over 500 rebounds and blocked over 200 shots. She began her collegiate career at East Tennessee State University where she appeared in 26 contests as a freshman. Puckett then transferred to Alabama State, and after receiving…

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Tennessee State Adds International Guard Nandinkhusel Nyamjav to Backcourt Mix

Brandon King

Tennessee State continues to quietly build out its roster with an international flair, landing a commitment from Mongolian guard Nandinkhusel Nyamjav, a dynamic scorer who brings proven production and perimeter versatility to the Tigers’ backcourt. Nyamjav arrives in Nashville after a strong run at Florida Tech, where she appeared in 17 games, with 13 starts. Nyamjav averaged 11.6 points per contest, which was the third highest on the team. She dropped a season-high 28 points against USC Beaufort in November 19, 2025. The lead guard also spent two seasons with…

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